Gravel is sold by the cubic yard (or ton) but you’re measuring your project in feet and inches. This calculator handles the conversion plus the 10% waste buffer that every contractor adds — so you order once and don’t end up with a half-load shortfall on day two.
How gravel volume is calculated
The math is simple — you’re computing a rectangular prism:
order = volume × 1.10 (with 10% waste)
The 27 comes from converting cubic feet to cubic yards (3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cu ft per cu yd). The calculator handles unit conversion automatically — enter inches, feet, yards, or meters and get back cubic yards plus the corresponding square footage of coverage.
Gravel sizes and what they’re for
Different jobs call for different gravel sizes:
| Type | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1/4"–1/2" rounded | Walkways, drainage around foundations, kid-safe areas |
| #57 stone | 3/4" angular | Driveways, paver base, French drain core |
| #2 / #4 stone | 1.5"–2.5" | Drainage trenches, base for heavy traffic |
| Crusher run / #21A | Mixed dust to 3/4" | Compactable base under driveways and patios |
| River rock | 1"–3" smooth | Decorative landscape beds, dry creek beds |
For a driveway base, you want crusher run (also called paver base or class 5) — the mix of fines and stone packs tight. For a drainage layer (French drain), use clean #57 with no fines so water flows freely.
How much one truckload covers
Bulk gravel is typically sold by:
- Pickup truck (¼ ton) — about 0.5 cu yd, covers 40 sq ft at 4" depth
- Pickup truck (½ ton) — about 1 cu yd, covers 80 sq ft at 4" depth
- Dump truck (small) — 5 cu yd, covers 400 sq ft at 4" depth
- Dump truck (tri-axle) — 15–20 cu yd, covers 1,200–1,600 sq ft at 4" depth
If your project needs more than 5 cu yd, get bulk delivery — the per-yard price drops 20–40% versus pickup loads.
Coverage at different depths
For a quick reference, one cubic yard of gravel covers:
- 162 sq ft at 2" depth
- 108 sq ft at 3" depth
- 81 sq ft at 4" depth (driveway standard)
- 54 sq ft at 6" depth
- 41 sq ft at 8" depth
The calculator gives you an exact number with the 10% waste already baked in.
Compaction loss explained
Gravel is delivered loose. Once you spread and compact it (with a plate compactor or tamper), it loses about 20% of its volume. If you order exactly the calculated volume and skip compaction prep, you’ll come up short.
The 10% waste factor in the calculator covers typical job-site loss but doesn’t fully account for compaction on deep applications. If you’re building a 6" or deeper base and need an exact compacted finish depth, order 15–20% extra instead of 10%.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) and divide by 27. The calculator does this for you in any unit. For a 20×8 ft driveway at 4" depth: 20 × 8 × 0.333 = 53.3 cu ft = 1.97 cu yd. Add 10–15% for waste and compaction.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons for standard crushed stone (3/4" minus). Pea gravel is lighter — about 1.3 tons per cu yd. Larger river rock can hit 1.5 tons. The calculator gives cubic yards; multiply by 1.4 for an approximate ton conversion.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Residential driveway: 4" minimum compacted depth, ideally in two 2" lifts. Heavy vehicles or soft soil: 6"–8" with a fabric underlayment. Walkway or footpath: 2"–3". Always compact between lifts.
Bagged gravel vs bulk — which is cheaper?
Bulk wins above ~50 sq ft. Bagged gravel runs $4–$6 per 0.5 cu ft bag — that's $216–$324 per cu yd. Bulk delivered runs $30–$80 per cu yd. Even with a $75 delivery fee, bulk is dramatically cheaper for any meaningful project.
What about waste and compaction?
The calculator includes a 10% waste factor by default. Gravel also compacts ~20% from loose to compacted volume — meaning a loose 4" layer settles to about 3.2". If you want a finished compacted depth of 4", order to 5" loose depth (the calculator already accounts for this in the 10% buffer for typical projects).